2010 is the 125th anniversary year of Hendon Band and Cristo Redentor is launched on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Hendon Highlights, the series of memorable concerts hosted by the band.
This is a new era for Hendon Band and Cristo Redentor is the first recording under the direction of Bandmaster David Rudd who succeeded Stephen Cobb in 2008. Whilst the band has changed its leadership recently (Michael Calland succeeding David as Deputy Bandmaster), much remains unchanged and it is a case of 'business as usual' in terms of the band's mission, repertoire, style and personnel. The band is a vibrant and central part of worship; the group on this recording is the same that contributes week by week to the services at Brampton Grove, London, NW4.
Recent recordings by the band, A Walk on the Light Side and A Life Worth Living, placed an emphasis on melody with some contemporary repertoire and occasional technical demand. Cristo Redentor follows in similar vein as it presents mostly lighter repertoire; some of it old, some new, lots of tunes, reflective and 'showy' solos, big-band, a technical challenge or two but all with the purpose of conveying the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.